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Jessica Mlinaric and Geoffrey Baer with bicycles at the Illinois-Indiana State Line Boundary Marker
Chicago

Exploring Chicago Mysteries with WTTW

Explore three Chicago mysteries with me and Geoffrey Baer!

Author Jessica Mlinaric in Chicago
Chicago

Chicago Scavenger Featured in the Chicago Tribune

Jessica Mlinaric walks down Chicago's wood block alley
Architecture

Secret Spot: Chicago’s Wood Block Alley

Fierce mural by Sam Kirk
Chicago

Secret Chicago Printable Calendar – June 2024

by Jessica Mlinaric / June 1, 2024June 1, 2024

Download a free printable calendar for June 2024 featuring one of Chicago’s hidden gems.

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Historic hotel pool at InterContinental Chicago
Chicago

9 Unique Ways to Celebrate Mother’s Day in Chicago

by Jessica Mlinaric / May 2, 2024December 2, 2024

Fun and unexpected ways to celebrate Mother’s Day in Chicago

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Vivian Maier mural in Wicker Park
Chicago

Secret Chicago Printable Calendar – May 2024

by Jessica Mlinaric / May 1, 2024June 1, 2024

Download a free printable calendar for May 2024 featuring one of Chicago’s hidden gems.

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Gold dome of the InterContinental Chicago hotel
Architecture, Chicago, Secret Spot

Secrets of the InterContinental Chicago Hotel

by Jessica Mlinaric / April 9, 2024November 10, 2025

A historic hotel with lavish design and secrets in every ballroom.

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Chapel altar at St. John Cantius in Chicago
Chicago

Secret Chicago Printable Calendar – April 2024

by Jessica Mlinaric / April 1, 2024May 2, 2024

Download a free printable calendar for April 2024 featuring one of Chicago’s hidden gems.

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John Paul Jones and Thurston Moore at Big Ears
Culture, Knoxville, Music

Big Ears Festival Day Four: Thurston Moore and John Paul Jones, Laugh Ash, Medeski Russo Ribot, and More

by Jessica Mlinaric / March 25, 2024January 7, 2025

Venues filled up around Knoxville as attendees savored every last moment of Big Ears.

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Herbie Hancock at Big Ears
Culture, Knoxville, Music

Big Ears Festival Day Three: Herbie Hancock, Digable Planets, The Messthetics, Colin Stetson, and More

by Jessica Mlinaric / March 24, 2024March 1, 2025

The sun returned for a jam-packed day of music.

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Laurie Anderson at Big Ears
Culture, Knoxville, Music

Big Ears Festival Day Two: André 3000, Laurie Anderson, Carl Craig, and Sam Amidon

by Jessica Mlinaric / March 23, 2024January 7, 2025

Day two of Big Ears had many surprises along the way.

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Big Ears Festival at Tennessee Theatre
Culture, Knoxville, Music

Big Ears Festival Day One: Unwound, Secret Chiefs 3, Mary Halvorson, and More

by Jessica Mlinaric / March 22, 2024September 4, 2025

Choose your own adventure at Big Ears day one

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Artists to watch at Big Ears Festival 2024
Culture, Knoxville, Music

Six Artists to Watch at Big Ears Festival 2024

by Jessica Mlinaric / March 12, 2024January 7, 2025

There’s no shortage of rising talent at Big Ears Festival.

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About Me

Urban Explorer is a travel blog highlighting history, culture, and hidden gems to inspire curious travelers by Jessica Mlinaric, author of 'Secret Chicago' and 'Chicago Scavenger.'
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Chicago Scavenger book by Jessica Mlinaric
Secret Chicago book by Jessica Mlinaric

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